New Information and guidance service

Family Mosaic is to provide a new advice service to help people improve their health and well-being and remain as independent as possible.

The service has been operating in Kent and has helped a man in his late eighties, living alone and blind,  tackle his feeling of isolation.

After being referred by his GP, Family Mosaic helped him successfully apply for the higher rate Attendance Allowance, which enabled him to employ a cleaner and a gardener; they also helped with problems with his Council Tax, and an application for a Blue Badge.

In addition he was put in touch with two local, former Royal Navy personnel in his age group and now the three meet regularly.

The service, due to start in Havering in September, will help residents understand what help is available. This will include support services, and a wide range of clubs and activities to help people remain active.

Devised in partnership with residents, the Family Mosaic service will visit popular places that are easy to access at convenient times. It will also target residents who are isolated or hard to reach.

Head of Housing and Support for Family Mosaic, Rosie Green, said: “Using the experience gained by delivering a similar service for Kent County Council we look forward to helping people in Havering navigate support and care services to improve their lives and, where possible, remain living in their own homes.”

The Care Act requires local authorities like Havering to establish and maintain a service for providing people with information and advice relating to care and support.

Get involved with the Carers’ Forum

Carers are encouraged to share ideas and help develop services at the next Carers’ Forum in August.  

The Forum will be held on Tuesday 4 August at the YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH.

If you would like to attend, email Susan Anderson.

Understanding the Care Act

The Care Act is a complex piece of legislation that is being implemented in two phases – the first in April 2015 and the second in April 2016.

See Havering’s Care Act website for a run-down of the changes already in place including support for carers, getting the right care and support for you and deferred payment agreements.

More changes to the way people pay for care and support will be introduced from April 2016. Subject to consultation, this will include a £72,000 lifetime care cap and changes to means-testing thresholds.

The Care Act marks a radical change to the way that adult social care is provided and paid for.

Care charges outlined

Two new guides have recently been updated with the latest charges for residential and non-residential care in Havering.

The guides Paying for Care in a residential home, nursing homes or residential college and Paying for non-residential care services are helpful when considering the financial impact of care and support.

Non-residential care refers to services provided in the community to help people remain in their home. This includes home care and personal support such as night sitting services, telecare equipment and alarms, day care or day services, meals on wheels and transport.

The Care Act aims to help people plan for their future needs.

Connecting social care providers

Havering has recently launched an online network for the Borough’s social care providers.

The network will enable care providers of all sizes – from large care homes to voluntary groups and organisations– discover what care is available, browse local training and events and, where appropriate, share service details and apply for tenders.

The network will also connect care providers with direct messaging and forums helping them get involved in on-going discussion with the Council on how care is provided.

Access the online network here.

For more information email Amy Reed.

A Big Event to mark Carers’ Week

More than 200 carers and the people they care for attended the Carers’ Week Big Event organised by Havering Mind and supported by Havering Council and Havering Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Carers learnt about the help available from a wide range of organisations and their entitlements under the Care Act and enjoyed some well-deserved pamper sessions.

Carer Vicky Pilditch, from Collier Row, said: “It is really helpful to see all the services available to carers and all the organisations that provide them under one roof and there were lots of friendly faces to speak to. The Carers’ Information Booklet, which was given to everyone who attended, is a particularly handy guide to all of the services and support available in Havering that help make caring a little easier.”

You can download the Carers’ Information Booklet or for hard copies email Susan Anderson.

Dementia Action Alliance

Havering has formed a local Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) to encourage all local organisations, who are committed to transforming the quality of life of people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers, to sign up to become members.

The Alliance is currently recruiting members from all areas of our community – so if you run a local business, charity, community or voluntary group and are interested in joining, get in touch below and let us know you want to be a part of the Alliance.

More information available here.  

Help safeguard adults from abuse

Havering Council is encouraging anyone who thinks that a vulnerable adult is at risk from abuse or neglect to raise their concerns.

Many vulnerable adults - including those who are elderly or frail, have a learning disability, mental health needs, physical disability, sensory impairment or because of ill health - are at risk from harm or abuse.

If you are concerned, report it. It’s easy to raise your concerns - you can complete a form online, email Safeguarding Adults, or call Havering Council on 01708 433550 or 01708 432000

Out of normal office hours you can contact 01708 433999 or the emergency services.

The Care Act highlights that safeguarding is everyone’s business and introduces new safeguarding duties for local authorities.

Deferred payments in Havering

From April 2015 people will not be required to sell their home in their lifetime to pay for their care costs. Havering has had this arrangement in place for some time, but the Care Act makes deferred payments available across the country.

If you are eligible, Havering Council will help pay your care home bills on your behalf. You can delay repaying us until you choose to sell your home or until after your death.

There are charges – on the interest owed to the Council and a set-up fee – to help cover the Council’s costs and not make a profit.

In Havering there is a £658 charge to set up a deferred payment agreement with 2.65% interest on the amount that is owed to the Council. There is also an annual fee of £89.

A deferred payment agreement is only one way to pay for care. To find out more about the options available, you can seek advice from an independent organisation or speak to a financial adviser.